Avalanche highest rate first
Snowball smallest balance first
Assumes fixed rates, interest charged monthly, no new borrowing, and the same total payment every month. Freed-up minimum payments roll into the next debt. For education only, not financial advice.
What this debt payoff calculator does
This debt payoff calculator compares the two most popular ways to clear several debts at once:
- Debt avalanche: put extra money toward the debt with the highest interest rate first. This usually saves the most interest.
- Debt snowball: put extra money toward the smallest balance first. This gives you quicker wins and can keep you motivated.
Enter up to five debts and how much extra you can pay each month, and you'll see, for each method:
- your debt-free date
- the total interest you'll pay
- the order your debts are cleared, and the month each one is paid off
It also shows how long paying only the minimums would take, and draws a chart of your total debt falling over time.
How to use it
- Enter each debt: a name, the balance, the interest rate (APR) and the minimum monthly payment. Leave unused rows blank.
- Enter your extra amount: how much you can pay each month on top of all your minimum payments.
- Compare the results. The headline shows how much the avalanche saves, and the summary shows how much sooner the snowball clears your first debt.
How the methods work
Both methods follow the same steps:
- Pay the minimum on every debt each month.
- Put all your extra money toward one target debt.
- When that debt is paid off, roll its payment into the next target, so your total payment stays the same.
The only difference is the order: highest rate first for the avalanche, smallest balance first for the snowball.
Example: three debts with $200 extra a month
| Debt | Balance | APR | Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credit card | $3,500 | 24% | $90 |
| Store card | $900 | 18% | $30 |
| Personal loan | $6,000 | 11% | $180 |
- Avalanche: debt-free in month 25, about $1,623 of interest
- Snowball: debt-free in month 25, about $1,684 of interest, but the first debt is cleared 9 months sooner
For the full comparison, read our guide to debt snowball vs avalanche.
Which method should you choose?
- Choose the avalanche if saving the most money is your priority and you'll stay motivated without quick wins.
- Choose the snowball if you've struggled to stick with debt plans before, or have several small balances you could clear quickly.
- The difference is often small. The best method is the one you'll follow until every debt is gone.
Tips to get debt-free faster
- Increase your extra payment whenever you can. It has more effect than the choice of method.
- Stop adding new debt while you pay down existing balances.
- Lower your rates with a 0% balance transfer or a cheaper consolidation loan. See is a balance transfer worth it.
- Keep a small emergency fund so surprises don't go back on a card.
Frequently asked questions
Is the avalanche or snowball method better?
The avalanche usually saves more interest. The snowball gives faster early wins. If the difference is small, choose the one you're more likely to stick with.
Does the calculator include new spending?
No. It assumes you stop adding to your debts and keep the same total payment every month.
What if a minimum payment is lower than the interest?
That debt's balance will grow until other debts are cleared and their payments roll over to it. The calculator accounts for this, and warns you if the debts could never be paid off.
Is my data saved?
No. The calculator runs in your browser, and nothing you enter is stored.
Related tools
This calculator is for education only and is not financial advice. It assumes fixed rates and monthly interest. Your lenders' terms may differ.